Essential Italy

We know car choice is important for the enjoyment of your holiday, our supplier – Maggiore Car Rental – will guarantee the following:

• highly competitive prices
• no major tour operator is working with them, therefore we are quite sure that queuing will be kept to a minimum, even in high season
• all cars have air conditioning
• a full and comprehensive back-up system

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We do not book flights, we leave it to you to choose the best departure point and flight times to suit your party. We have compiled a list of airlines flying to those regions in which we offer accommodation.

Flights are from the UK, if you are travelling from elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will recommend an airline flying from your departure point. If you are unsure which airport in Italy is closest to your accommodation, please call us on 01223 460100 or email

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Casa Caterina Cortona

This pretty 17th Century cottage is in a fabulous position just below the medieval hilltop town of Cortona, a short distance from the town of Camucia. Casa Caterina is a traditional Tuscan stone cottage set in pretty gardens with super views over the valley below.

The driveway leads to the rear of the cottage where there is ample parking for two or three vehicles. Stone steps lead down to a large terrace where you can pick fresh lemons from the trees (great for your tea or your gin and tonic!) and enjoy daily lazy dinners in the wonderful warm summer evenings with either your family or your friends.

The front door leads into a spacious hallway off which leads a single bedroom and a shower room. To the left of the hall you will find a small living area which is directly linked to the kitchen – this is very well equipped with oven, gas hob, fridge/freezer and open fire. There is an external door from the kitchen leading to the outside terrace. Stone steps lead directly from the entrance hall to the first floor where you'll find a further twin and two double bedrooms with two bathrooms.

Behind the house up the hillside is the pool area and very pretty gardens which are well tended and planted with shrubs, vines and fruit trees. There is also a small pond in the grounds which means young children will need supervision. A lovely covered pergola is located further up the hill providing the perfect place to sit and admire the Tuscan view or watch the children playing in the pool.

We are confident this pretty stone cottage will be a perfect base for simply relaxing by the pool with a good book or exploring the delights of Tuscany and Umbria.

New in Puglia for 2012

Helen & Sarah have just returned from a very fruitful trip to Puglia...

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